Movies have always provided a glimpse into life. They allow the public to open
a window upon the world and at times to see intimate details or insights often
over-looked.

There is much that can be overlooked in San Francisco, so a film that takes
place in the Sunset District can shed light on this little piece of real estate.

"Gary's Story," a documentary about Sunset resident Gary Podvalny and his family,
will premier July 22 at the 27th annual San Francisco Jewish Film Festival (SFJFF).

As a part of the largest Jewish film festival in the nation, "Gary's Story"
will be part of the international collection of films highlighting the essence
of Jewish culture, history, issues and ideas. Sixteen-year-old Podvalny provides
a glimpse into his life and the life of his parents and grandparents. His narrative
amid familiar neighborhood scenes, such as Golden Gate Park, tells of several
generations all working together to pursue the dream of a better and happier
life.

"There are no pit stops when you are chasing the American Dream," his father
would say.

The empowering influence of his grandmother Faina Feygina has made a dynamic
impression upon him, so the film is dedicated to her. While Podvalny defines
himself as an American who likes baseball and football, he is very aware of
the Russian and Jewish roots that are an integral part of his life.

Persistent in his quest to be competitive and to not lose focus, Podvalny said
he has it engraved in his mind: "You must be the best or you don't survive."

Survival is utmost, especially when Podvalny's parents and grandparents struggled
and worked so hard to make it to America. Podvalny tells of the hardships his
family had to endure just to get out of Russia to enjoy the freedoms so many
in the United States take for granted.

In 1990, when Podvalny was two months old, his family arrived in the United
States with only $300.

"Gary's Story" is a part of nine short documentaries entitled "As Old As Our
Eyes," which reflect the diverse perspectives of a new generation of American
Jewish people. As part of the New Jewish Filmmaking Project, the "As Old As
Our Eyes" documentary collection is an unparalleled endeavor that took six years
to make. It is produced and directed by Sam Ball and Sophie Constantinou.

The rare collection of life stories, written and co-directed by teenagers,
such as Podvalny, are part of the Perestroika-wave of immigrants that arrived
in San Francisco during the 1990s. Eighty thousand Russian-speaking Jewish people
live in California.

In San Francisco, as in other cities across the nation, these immigrants from
the former Soviet Union have made a significant impact upon the cultural, social
and economic fabric of the city. The younger generation among that wave that
arrived in the 1990s is now coming of age, like Podvalny, 17-year-old Klaira
Markenzon and Yelena Shuster, who immigrated to San Francisco as young children.

All these young people have "a foot in the old world, with Russian traditions,
and a foot in American way of life," Ball said.

Ball and Constantinou, who founded Citizen Film more than five years ago, have
been acclaimed for their work as documentary filmmakers.

Ball graduated from Stanford University, founded the New Jewish Filmmaking
Project, and continues to receive awards and recognition along with Constantinou
and others for their groundbreaking work.

"We are fortunate to have a funding community here in the Bay Area that understands
the importance of culture," Ball said. "There's a willingness to take the community
as it is."

The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival was founded by Deborah Kaufman, who
wanted to use cinema as a way to spark a new and open discussion of politics
and culture inside the Jewish community and to challenge Hollywood's stereotypical
portrayal of Jewish life. Since 1980, with the help of dedicated staff members
like Janis Plotkin and others, the SFJFF has been celebrating passionate storytelling,
powerful imagery and the courageous spirits of countless people.

For more information about "Gary's Story" and "As Old As Our Eyes," visit
the Web site at www.citizenfilm.org or call (415) 206-1880. The 27th annual
San Francisco Jewish Film Festival starts July 19. For more information regarding
tickets and show times, visit the Web site at www.sfjff.org or call (925) 275-9490.